Stock futures were moderately lower ahead of Thursday's open, but quickly paring early losses after a pair of positive December employment reports. Dow futures were down 17 points, but up from an early decline of 25 points. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures traded down less than two points, well above their early lows. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 are poised, if they can keep their gains so far this week, for their best week since the week ended Dec.